El Nido Island Hopping Tours A, B, C, D — Which One to choose?

El Nido is one of the most visited destinations in the Philippines, and for good reason. It’s best known for its island-hopping tours that take you to some of the most stunning spots in the country: paradise-like beaches, crystal-clear blue water, sharp limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, sandbars, caves, and incredible landscapes.

There are four main island-hopping tours to choose from: Tour A, B, C, and D. If you have time to do them all, that’s amazing! But if you’re short on time or budget, you’ll probably want to choose just one or two. Personally, we recommend going on at least two different tours.

In this guide, we’ll compare the different island-hopping tours in El Nido and give you helpful tips to choose the one that best matches your interests.

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First Time in the Philippines? Read our ultimate guide to prepare a trip to the Philippines with essential and useful tips: How to Plan a Trip to the Philippines: 33 Essential Travel Tips

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Table of Contents

In this guide, we’ll cover the following subjects:

El Nido Island Hopping Tours – What to Expect?

There are four island hopping tours in El Nido—Tour A, B, C, and D. These tours are standardized, so no matter which company you book with, the destinations are usually the same. You can book a shared tour, or pay more for a private boat if you want more flexibility in terms of schedule and places to visit (like combining places from different tours).

What to Expect on The Tours

Here’s some important information that applies to all tours.

Duration of the Tours

All tours depart from El Nido Beach at around 9AM and return around 4 to 5PM. It’s a long day of exploration.

Departure from El Nido Beach

There’s no dock for boarding the boats—you’ll need to walk into the sea right at the beginning of the tour, so expect to get wet from the start.

That’s why we recommend bringing a waterproof bag or pouch to keep your belongings dry. Be sure to check the packing list section here for everything we suggest bringing on these tours.

Lunch

All El Nido island hopping tours include lunch, usually served on a beautiful, paradise-like beach. The meal typically includes grilled fish, rice, noodles, vegetables, and fresh fruit. Water and soft drinks are also available.

Boat Conditions

For group tours you’re going on traditional Filipino outrigger boats. These boats made out of wood fit around 15 to 20 people per boat. So, they are not the much comfortable. Some boats have an upper deck while others don’t.

The ride can get bumpy and noisy, especially when the engine is running at full speed. If you’re sensitive to motion, it’s a good idea to bring seasickness pills just in case. That said, I personally found the trips enjoyable, but that’s me, I just love boat trips.

On private tours, you usually go on a smaller boat that usually fits up to 8 people. It’s still a traditional boat, but it can be a good idea if you’re going with family, friends, or want a more intimate experience. It also allows you to customize your itinerary.

Guides

The guides on all the tours were super friendly and always ready to help with anything we needed—at least based on our experience with two El Nido island hopping tours and other tours during our three weeks in the Philippines. Most guides speak good English, so communication is usually easy and not a problem at all.

El Nido Island Hopping Tours – How Much Do They Cost?

Here’s the price for the island hopping tours at the time of our visit (2025):

• Tour A: 1200PHP per person * + entrance to Big Lagoon (200PHP per person) + kayak rental to enter Big Lagoon (150PHP per person)
• Tour B: 1300PHP per person *
• Tour C: 1400 PHP per person *
• Tour D: 1200 PHP per person * + entrance to Small Lagoon (200PHP per person) + kayak rental to explore the lagoons (150 per person)

*Additional Fees:

To join any island hopping tour in El Nido, you’ll need to pay a one-time environmental fee of 400PHP per person. Once you’ve paid it, you won’t need to pay again for additional tours during your stay.

Those extra fees may or may not be included in the tour price. That’s why some tours might seem more expensive than others. It’s always a good idea to check with your tour provider in advance to see if you’ll need to bring extra cash on the day of the tour. Usually, you pay for the kayak rental when you arrive at the Lagoons.

El Nido Island Hopping Tours – How to Choose One

Now, let’s take a closer look at each individual tour and the places they include. When we were deciding which one to choose, every travel blog recommended Tour A because of the Big Lagoon—and it truly is a spectacular spot that makes the whole trip worthwhile. But the other tours also have their own amazing highlights, like Cadlao Lagoon in Tour D, the Secret Beach in Tour C, or even Snake Island in Tour B. So, whichever tour you pick, you’ll definitely have a great time.

Tour A – The Most Popular

Tour A stops:

• 7 Commando Beach
• Big Lagoon
• Shimizu Island
• Secret Lagoon
• Payong-Payong Island

Tour A is the most popular and well-known. It includes the Big Lagoon, which is so stunning that it makes the whole tour worth it on its own. We did Tour A and highly recommend it—even though it’s the most crowded, the places you visit are absolutely amazing

The Secret Lagoon, even though super crowded, it’s definitely a beautiful and impressive place spot surrounded by tall, sharp cliffs.

Additionally, the beaches at Shimizu island, the place where we had lunch are absolutely paradise-like.

For a complete description on what to expect on Tour A, we recommend reading the following article: El Nido Island Hopping Tour A – Is it Worth It? What to Expect?.

You can book your island hopping Tour A here.

Tour B – Caves and Sandbards

Tour B stops:

• Entalula Island
• Snake Island
• Pinagbuyutan Island
• Cathedral Cave
• Cudugnon Cave

Tour B is a bit less popular, so it’s usually less crowded. But that doesn’t mean it’s not equally spectacular. It features caves, unique rock formations, paradise-like beaches with no crowds, and the famous Snake Island, where you can walk along a sandbar during low tide. This is a great choice if you want a more relaxed day, with fewer boats and a calmer vibe.

During our time in El Nido, they didn’t recommend this tour because the sea was rough, and the main places to visit are more exposed to open water and stronger waves.

You can book your island hopping Tour B here.

Tour C – Hidden Beaches and Shrine

Tour C stops:

• Helicopter Island
• Hidden Beach
• Matinloc Shrine
• Talisay Beach
• Secret Beach

During our time in El Nido, we did a custom mix of tour C and D. This was because some places of tour D were closed for the recording of a reality show. The spots we visited were beautiful and way less crowded than Tour A. We visited the Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, and Helicopter Island for snorkeling. This tour is more focused in beaches and snorkeling.

To get to the Hidden Beach, you have to swim or walk through a narrow opening between the rocks. Once you’re inside—wow! The water is incredibly blue, surrounded by tall, sharp cliffs, and the small stretch of sand is bright and super soft. Even though the beach is quite small, which makes it feel crowded quickly, it’s still unbelievably beautiful.

During this tour, we stopped at the Secret Beach (I guess there are quite a few “secret” beaches in this area), where we had lunch and took some time to relax. This was honestly one of the most spectacular beaches we’ve ever seen. The color of the water, the surrounding landscape, the soft sand—it was simply paradise. I could have easily stayed there all day. And the best part? Our boat was the only one there.

We also stopped at Helicopter Island for snorkeling at the end of the tour. The sun was already starting to set, so the colors weren’t as vibrant. Still, I decided to go snorkeling and was pleasantly surprised once I swam past the algae next to the shore.

I saw a lots of different tropical fish—not many corals, but lots of different fish. I was genuinely impressed.

Because this was the last stop on the tour, everyone was already tired and I was the only one snorkeling. I’m so glad I did though, because besides all the fish, I also spotted a turtle and was lucky enough to swim alongside it.

Tip: If you want to have a spectacular snorkeling tour to see turtles, we recommend this tour we did in Siquijor to the Apo Island. One of the best tours we did.

Even though we didn’t cover all spots of Tour C, the ones we did were truly spectacular. So, if you like paradise-like beaches (who doesn’t?) you won’t regret going on this tour.

You can book your island hopping Tour C here.

Tour D – Lagoons and Beaches

Tour D stops:

• Small Lagoon (depends on the operator)
• Cadlao Lagoon
• Paradise Beach
• Pasandigan Beach
• Bukal Beach

This tour focuses more on Cadlao Island and surrounding spots. Some tour providers may also include the Small Lagoon in this tour. Overall, Tour D is centered around lagoons and beaches. So, it is a great alternative to Tour A if you want to avoid the crowds.

During our mix of Tour C + D, we visited Cadlao Lagoon, which is part of Tour D. It is incredibly beautiful—sometimes the landscapes don’t even feel real. This place was also much less crowded than the Big Lagoon in Tour A. So, if you’re looking for something more relaxed and just as stunning, this tour is definitely a great choice. We actually liked our mix of Tour C + D even more than the classic Tour A.

There are also other spectacular places you’ll visit on this tour, but Cadlao Lagoon is definitely the highlight.

You can book your island hopping Tour D here.

Which El Nido Island Hopping Tour Is Best? A, B, C, or D Compared

Personally, I don’t think one tour is better than the others. Each has its own highlights and unique vibe. It really depends on what you’re looking for. Some focus more on lagoons, others on beaches or caves.

Based on everything we’ve covered so far, here’s a quick comparison table to help you see the key differences between each tour.

Tour	Main Highlights	Best For	Where to Book
A	Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island	Scenic lagoons, first-timers	Book Tour A
B	Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave	Sandbars and caves	Book Tour B
C	Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Hidden Beach	Snorkeling and beaches	Book Tour C
D	Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach	Quiet spots, fewer crowds	Book Tour D

El Nido Combo Tours (Private)

It’s possible to combine places from different tours on your itinerary if you go on a private tour. You have the flexibility to choose which places to go and in which order.

In our case, we wanted to go on Tour D. However, some places where closed for the recording of a reality show. So, the guides suggested a combination of some of the best spots of Tour C and D. It was amazing and we were super lucky to see so many highlights on the same day in a group tour. We liked this combination even more than Tour A. So, if you are interested in a combo tour with the same places, this was our itinerary:

• Secret Beach (Tour C)
• Hidden Beach (Tour C)
• Cadlao Lagoon (Tour D)
• Helicopter Island (Tour C)

Where to Book the El Nido Island Hopping Tours

You can book your El Nido Tours through your accommodation when you arrive at El Nido, at one of the many tourist stalls in El Nido or tour vendors you’ll find around town.

However, if you’re travelling in high-season, it might be a good idea to book your tour in advance on sites like GetYourGuide, Klook, or similar platforms.

We recommend booking the tour you’re most excited about for your first full day in El Nido. That way, if it gets cancelled due to bad weather, you’ll still have time to reschedule it for another day during your stay.

Some tours might seem more expensive at first, but that’s often because they already include the environmental fee, kayak rental, or snorkeling gear.

What to Pack for Your El Nido Island Hopping Tour (or rent)?

There are some essentials that we recommend packing for these tours (this also applies to most tours in the Philippines):

Water Shoes

We highly recommend bringing your own water shoes—you’ll need them. Some places you’ll visit have sharp rocks at the bottom. If you don’t have them, you can buy them in El Nido town (you’ll find several stores selling them). You can also rent them at the start of your tour—just let your tour provider know. Expect to pay between 100 to 150PHP.

If you have plastic sandals that you can use on the water, those will also do. I used my sandals without any problems. Just don’t go barefoot.

Snorkeling Gear

For snorkeling, you’ll need a mask and tube, which are available to rent for a fee (150PHP at the time we visited). We rented ours, and while sometimes we got a good one, other times the fit and quality weren’t that great. If we were to do it again, we’d bring our own snorkel gear (as we had to rent one several times during our time in the Philippines).

Waterproof Bag or Pouch

There’s no dock for boarding the boat—you’ll need to walk into the sea right at the beginning of the tour, so expect to get wet from the start.

We suggest bringing a waterproof bag for your valuables and clothes. Vendors sell them right on the beach before the tours depart, including waterproof pouches for phones. You can also buy one before heading to the Philippines to ensure you get more options and know the quality beforehand.

We had this super practical waterproof pouch we bought at Amazon before our tour. Even though it doesn’t fit our clothes, it secures our valuables well. It’s perfect for when you want to go into the water and don’t want to leave your valuables unattended.

Action waterproof camera

I took our DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Camera (the camera is amazing). We bought it specifically for this trip to the Philippines. I’m so glad we did because we got so many great shots and underwater videos. The quality is much better than using your smartphone in a waterproof case. You’ll find that your phone will overheat inside the case, it will get slow and the image will turn darker (at least this is what happened with our iPhones).

Sun Protection

You’ll be exposed to the sun for most of the day. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. A long-sleeve UV shirt is also a good idea. We used our UV shirt during most tours in the Philippines and we never get burned. Many people on the same tours got burned, even with sunscreen.

Where to Stay in El Nido?

If it’s your first time in El Nido, we recommend staying close to the center. You’ll have more options for restaurants, shops, bars, and souvenir shops.

If you prefer somewhere quieter, Lio Beach or Las Cabañas are great options. They’re more relaxed and scenic, and you can still easily get to the center by tricycle.

Main Areas to Stay:

• Town Proper – Best for first-timers; close to tours, restaurants, and bars. Recommended places:
  • Spin Designer Hostel (budget)
  • Sea Coccon Hotel (mid-range)
  • H Hotel El Nido (luxury)

• Caalan – Quiet and walkable to the center; good if you want to stay away from the nightlife. Suggested places:
  • Keira Backpackers (the one we stayed at) (budget)
  • Cadlao Resort & Restaurant (mid-range/luxury)

• Lio Beach – Chill beach vibe near the airport; upscale, quiet, and relaxed. Here are some suggested places:
  • Seda Lio – Modern, beachfront, with a pool and good amenities (luxury)
  • Balai Adlao – Cozy and calm, walking distance to the beach (luxury)
  • Domes and Dreams Lio Glamping – Cozy air-conditioned domes near Lio Beach, great for a peaceful stay close to nature and not far from shops and restaurants (mid-range)

• Las Cabañas – Sunset views, beach bars, and a laid-back feel; great for couples or relaxing. Accommodation options:
  • Maremegmeg Beach Club (luxury)
  • Mua Tala Hotel El Nido (luxury)

• Corong-Corong – Just south of town; less busy but still close. Several accommodations on the beach.
  • Outpost Beach Hostel (budget)
  • Beach Huts El Nido (mid-range)
  • Terra Sancta Boutique Resort (luxury)

• Nacpan Beach – Farther out (about 45 min drive); perfect for a remote, peaceful beach place with fewer crowds.
  • Nacpan Beach Glamping (mid-range)
  • Mad Monkey Hostel (budget)

Tips for Visiting El Nido

For more tips about El Nido, including the best things to do, and how to spend four incredible days in this beautiful place, make sure to check out our detailed travel guide:

• How to Spend Four Days in El Nido: Travel Guide and Best Things to Do

More Philippines Travel Guides

If you’re planning a trip to the Philippines, make sure to check out our other guides:

• How to Plan a Trip to the Philippines: 33 Essential Travel Tips
• El Nido Travel Guide – Everything You Need to Know
• El Nido Island Hopping Tour A – Is it Worth It? What to Expect?
• How to Spend Two Days in Coron: Travel Guide and Best Things to Do
• Siquijor 3-Day Itinerary & Travel Guide: Best Things to Do
• Moalboal Travel Guide: Best Things to Do & 3-Day Itinerary
• Bohol 3-Day Itinerary & Travel Guide: Best Things to Do
• Apo Island Snorkeling Tour — What to Expect
• Manila One Day Itinerary (or Less) — Ideal for a Layover or Short Stay

Also check our Philippines’ three-week itinerary:

• Three Weeks in the Philippines – Our Itinerary

We hope you find this travel guide useful and that it helps you choose an El Nido Island Hopping Tour. However, don’t stress much about it. All tours go to spectacular places and you’ll surely have an amazing time.

Finally, you can use our links to book your accommodation, and activities and find cheap flights. You won’t pay more for it and you’ll be supporting our work.

Thanks for reading.